Foulehaio procerior
The Kikau (*Foulehaio procerior*), a striking member of the honeyeater family (Meliphagidae), is endemic to Fiji, particularly the larger islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. This robust passerine measures approximately 20-22 cm (8-9 inches) in length, featuring a stout body, relatively long tail, and a distinctive, slender, decurved black bill. Its plumage is a somewhat muted yet elegant olive-green dorsally, transitioning to a paler, more grayish-olive on its underparts, often with a browni...
Found in a wide array of tropical habitats from sea level to montane regions, including primary and secondary forests, forest edges, cultivated areas, gardens, and urban parks.
Primarily nectar from a variety of flowering plants, supplemented significantly with insects, larvae, and small fruits or berries. Forages by probing flowers and gleaning from foliage.
The Kikau is a highly active and often conspicuous bird, known for its strong territoriality, especially during the breeding season. It forages solitarily, in pairs, or occasionally in small groups, diligently probing flowers for nectar with its specialized bill, gleaning insects from foliage, an...
The Kikau (*Foulehaio procerior*) is endemic to the Fiji archipelago, specifically restricted to the two largest islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, along with their immediate satellite islands. Unlike its now-separate relatives, *F. carunculatus* (Tonga) and *F. taviunensis* (Taveuni and nearby i...
Least Concern
- The Kikau is one of three species resulting from the recent taxonomic split of the Polynesian Wattled Honeyeater (*Foulehaio carunculatus*), making it a relatively new species to science. - Its vibrant, fleshy eye wattles are a key identification feature and can appear more intense during perio...